Face the Facts! 2 - Public Opposition to Globalization Mounting

Public Opposition to Globalization Mounting

• According to recent polls, the public rejects the main argument for globalization: that trade leads to economic benefits. In a Wall Street Journal poll, 58 percent of Americans said that foreign trade actually hurts the economy. *1
• Consumers want a global economy which reflects public values on labor, human rights and environmental protection:
• 79 percent of those polled would avoid shopping at a retailer that sold garments made in sweatshops.*12 
• 87 percent of the public believes trade agreements should protect the environment.*3
• Increasing public concern has begun to derail legislation and negotiations relating to the global economy.
• The U.S. Congress twice rejected "Fast Track" trade negotiating authority in 1997 & ’98. 
• Negotiations for a Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) collapsed at the end of 1998.
• Corporations and International Financial Institutions are on the defensive and resorting to public relations campaigns.
• The Business Roundtable is planning a $5 million lobbying and education campaign to promote free trade.*4 
• Following criticism of its role in last year’s financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund recently hired a public relations firm to help with the Fund’s poor image in the United States.*5  

*1 Wall Street Journal/NBC poll cited in Jackie Calmes "Despite Buoyant Economic Times Americans Don't Buy Free Trade", Wall Street Journal, December 10, 1998.

*2 1996 Garment Workers Study, Marymount Univeristy Center for Ethical Concern.

*3 Lewis Harris and Associates, for Business Week, September 3-7, 1997.

*4 Congress Daily, February 25, 1999

*5 Michael M. Phillips, "IMF Hires Firms to Review, Improve PR Efforts." The Asian Wall Street Journal, December 21, 1998.

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